At first this post was about adding affirmation cards and bath bombs to your daily routine, but after thinking about it for a while, I realized, the foundation of self-care isn't really about putting on a face mask and listening to soothing music. That fluff helps- but really taking care of yourself starts with the basics: drinking enough water, eating a healthy, balanced diet, getting enough sleep, limiting things that have a negative impact on your well-being. That's the foundation to feeling good- inside and out. And then you add the fluff. ;) So, we've covered it all: the framework and the fluff!

*Healthy, balanced diet {Fill up on veg & fruit, get enough protein, remember good-for-you grains, and, in most cases, carbs aren't the enemy!}*Water {Bring a water bottle wherever you go and consciously make sure you get your daily 8 cups+}*Exercise {We all know it's better to exercise than to not, so go out for a walk, find a YouTube routine, hit up the gym... get moving!}*Sleep {Unless you have a new baby who's keeping you up, chances are you are in control of your sleep schedule. If you've got sleep issues and even the most popular sleep app can't help you, visit your doctor.}*Talk {It's so easy to get stuck in your own head, worrying about things that probably aren't worth it. Pick up the phone or better yet, meet up with a friend for a coffee/tea.}

SELF-CARE ESSENTIALS PART TWO- The Fluff

*Journal {do a little writing, a little sketching, a little life planning, goal setting, etc.}*Self-Care Books {whether from the library or your local book store, there's a self-help book for everything.}*Sleep/Meditation Apps {so many free options out there! which one is your favourite? let me know in the comments}*Colouring Book {sure, it may be trendy, but for good reason: it helps to relax and zone out for a bit.}*Candles or Incense {look for calming scents- my fave: sandalwood} *Daily Mantra/Inspirational Affirmations Cards {a positive way to start your day}*Yoga Mat {head over to YouTube to find the perfect routine for you. Here are some good sleep-inducing routines.}*Bath Bombs {or soaks, bubble bath, salts, etc.}

Extras*Light therapy {sun lamps for Seasonal Affective Disorder... have you tried? do they work well?}*Plants {bring a little bit of that summer feel indoors} *Fluffy Socks and PJs {sure, any old T-shirt will work for sleep, but there's something indulgent about getting a new pair of very comfortable pyjamas... and, hey, you deserve it!}

By green I mean plants! Not only do they liven up almost any decor theme, but they make your home healthier. Back in the 1980s, NASA published a clean air study that looked at which plants are the best at, yep, you guessed it, cleaning the air.

​Here's a list of some of the top air purifying plants {I only chose the ones that are "easy to take care of" in case you're like me and don't have a green thumb}:

You’re an improv coach, former actor, stand-up comedian, etc. You must have all the confidence in the world! But, do you ever encounter moments when you need to remind yourself to be confident?

​When I see myself acting on camera I can be too critical. I'll find all the flaws in my performance and when I realize I'm focusing on all the negative moments, I have to remind myself that’s what I coach people NOT to do.

​What is your #1 tip to others for having more confidence in our day-to-day lives?

Focus on your strengths. We all have strengths but most people focus on their weaknesses. Once you remind yourself about your many positive qualities, you can embrace your shortcomings. We all have them, but too many people live in fear of imperfection. I’m really self-effacing.

Your bio mentions you were a student and friend of Philip Seymour Hoffman. What's the best advice he ever gave you?

I learned so much from him over the years but I think the best advice he gave me was not to accept the limits other people put on me. It was given in the context of acting, but it really applies to so many aspects of life. I was frustrated that I wasn’t getting called in for roles that were considered “against my type". He said, “Whatever you do, commit with every fibre of your being and no one will be able to stop you from achieving your goals." He spoke from experience which made it really resonate. He went from being a drug addict to getting clean and staying sober for many years, and if that wasn’t enough of a feat, he also became one of the best actors of our generation.

"I'm a big fan of the spa. Whether it's a facial or a massage, just an hour of chill, 'me time' works wonders for my stress level."

What's a regular day like in your life?

Make coffee, drink coffee while returning emails, turn on the news, stretch while watching the news, shower. Then I rush to wherever I have to be [that day], workout at the end of my day, come home, watch TV for a bit and crash. Other nights I try to have a social life, but these days it's a lot more work than play.

When you have time to pamper yourself, what’s your go-to?

I'm a big fan of the spa. Whether it's a facial or a massage, just an hour of chill, 'me time' works wonders for my stress level.

What are your favourite beauty and/or wellness products?

I'm all about anything that’s lavender vanilla. Cream, candles, that scent just makes me happy. I also love vitamin C serum. I love the smell AND how it tightens my skin.

Do you have any daily rituals you do to keep calm or focused?​Either a workout or yoga everyday. I'm a mess without one of the two.

Keep Smiling. It may sound superficial at first but not only do we look better when we smile, I realized that just like I teach actors when they need to feel an emotion, our muscle memory associates a facial expression with an emotion so we associate smiling with happiness. It's a win-win.